Best Pharmaceutical Manufacturing software of 2026: which is right for you?

Formulation management and batch sizing

The system should include formulation management, including ingredient substitution and batch scaling. Advanced systems can size batches to quantities of ingredients in stock. The system should provide for formulations of different strengths.

Available to promise, capable to promise

Available to promise (ATP) and capable to promise (CTP) are measures of manufacturing capacity. The system should calculate the ATP and CTP for any stock item, accounting for ingredients on hand and any work in process.

Lot tracing and recall management

Each lot must be identified and tracked. The ingredients of each batch must be tied to their individual batch number as well.

Recall management

Recalls are initiated for two reasons. First, a problem in the process causes a product to become tainted or contaminated. Second, an ingredient is tainted or contaminated. In either case, the system needs to identify all of the affected batches and the customers that received those batches.

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) compliance

The system should support reporting for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), in accordance with HACCP Principle 7: “Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures.”

FDA compliance

The FDA is empowered to regulate standard and homeopathic pharmaceuticals; the standards for labeling are similar but have unique differences. The system should correctly label standard and homeopathic products as necessary.

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) compliance

If the pharmaceutical manufacturer makes products or uses ingredients regulated under the Controlled Substances Act, it is subject to oversight from the DEA. The system should document compliance with the act and have access to a current database of controlled substances, regulated chemicals and analogues.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance

If the pharmaceutical manufacturer makes or uses products listed under the Toxic Substance Control Act, the substance may be regulated by the EPA. The system should maintain all compliant records as well as preparing a pre-manufacture notice before a new compound is created.

Quality assurance

The system should support quality assurance (QA) testing. The protocols should be documented and implemented through the system. The QA system should randomly identify samples for testing and compare test results against norms. Advanced systems will feature dashboards that will alertadministrators to problems with quality.

Process analytical technology support

The system should identify critical process parameters and define their affect on critical quality attributes as part of quality assurance testing.

Code of Federal Regulations 21 Part 11 compliance

Strictly speaking, no software package can be 21 CFR Part 11 compliant because the rule stipulates administrative and procedural controls as well as technical implementation for electronic and hybrid record keeping. However, it can support 21 CFR Part 11 by completely implementing the technical requirements.

Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) compliance

cGMP compliance is required for many regulatory agencies at the state and federal levels as well as for insurance purposes. The system should produce required compliance reports.

Yield variances

The system should track actual yield versus expected yield for each batch. The system should report excessive variance based on user-defined thresholds and indicate if variances are so large that regulating agencies should be notified.

Packing & drumming

The inventory system must be able to value and price items in different container sizes. It must also identify or generate suitable labels for containers.

Inventory storage planning

Some pharmaceuticals require a specific storage environment. The inventory system and receiving systems should notify workers about any special requirements.

Expiration tracking

Both pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical products can have limited shelf lives. The system needs to track expired and close-to-end-of-life inventory.

Shipping

Many pharmaceuticals have restrictions on shipping either via USPS or common carrier. In some cases, the contents of a package may not be listed on outside labeling. The system should identify any special requirements and produce appropriate shipping labels.